These days, many kids are getting smartphones as early as 4th or 5th grade. For some families, that timing works — but for others, it feels a bit too soon. Still, it can be hard to hold off when it seems like everyone else is saying yes.
The free Wait Until 8th pledge helps families say "not yet" to the smartphone together until at least the end of 8th grade. The goal is to give our kids a few more years to grow, play and build real-world connections without the risks that come with early exposure to smartphones and social media.
It’s important to know the pledge is for smartphones only, so families can still stay connected using basic devices for calls and texts.
Signing the online pledge is an honor-system promise not to give your child a smartphone until at least the end of 8th grade as long as at least 10 families total from your child’s same grade and school take the pledge.
Once that happens, you’ll be notified the pledge is active, and you’ll receive a list of the other parents who are waiting as well, with updates shared weekly any time another family from the same grade and school signs on. It’s helpful to be connected with these other families, because that means you’re not doing it alone — and neither is your child.
Wait Until 8th is a national parent-led nonprofit that also offers resources on how to navigate parenting in this tech-heavy time. Wait Until 8th Reno-Sparks is the local chapter of this organization.
Visit Wait Until 8th Reno-Sparks to check the latest pledge numbers for your child's grade and school.
Action StepS
If you have a K-8 student, the first step is to take the free online Wait Until 8th pledge today.
Next, email your counselor and principal a link to this page, plus a link to our scheduled school events.
Ask them to contact us to schedule a table or event at your school.